Fiat Chrysler Automobiles on Oct. 28 named Mark Chernoby (SAE member, 2003) Head of Quality. He continues his current responsibilities as Chief Operating Officer Product Development, a post to which he was named in August 2014.

Meeting diverse customer demands is a vexing challenge that will require heavy amounts of engineering work. Development teams will have to give drivers more personal options while they also determine how to ensure that autonomous driving platforms mimic the ways humans sometimes break traffic laws.

Chrysler engineers need to make the next Jeep Wrangler, due in 2017, much lighter for better fuel economy. In this week's SAE Eye on Engineering, Senior Editor Lindsay Brooke looks at Jeep's history with aluminum and unibody construction.

Chrysler Group LLC on Oct. 7 announced two personnel moves involving manufacturing operations. Brian Harlow was appointed President–Head of NAFTA Manufacturing, replacing Mauro Pino, who was named Head of Manufacturing for the Latin America region.

The marriage of vehicle electronics with mechanical systems is growing ever closer in intimacy, as the organizers of the first Convergence conference 40 years ago expected. Counseling on that relationship—and the crucial conflicts (e.g., simplicity vs. complexity) that must be resolved for a happy and resilient union—will be offered at SAE 2014 Convergence in the form of a seven-session panel program.

Chrysler recently announced the appointment of Benjamin Winter as the new NAFTA Head of Product Planning. With this appointment, he is also named to the Chrysler Group Leadership Team. The appointment is effective immediately and fills a previously announced personnel move.

Chrysler is cascading its stop-start system in the NAFTA region to certain versions of the Jeep Cherokee and Chrysler 200 later this year, promising fuel-economy improvements of up to 3% (and a corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions) over the conventional models.

The actual J1349 rating is more than 100 hp more than Chrysler engineers teased in late May. The automaker's first production supercharged V8 uses a Lysholm-type twin-screw supercharger supplied by IHI. The engine's high-output spec required extensive upgrading of engine reciprocating components to handle the extra loads.

The system uses specific Sport Mode algorithms with modules from the high-speed CAN data bus, including those for adaptive cruise control, forward facing camera, all-wheel drive, shift-by-wire, electric power steering, transmission, and powertrain.

Abstract Today, some vehicles include a regenerative-braking system such as the electrical motor-generator that converts the vehicle's kinetic energy into electrical energy to recharge one or more vehicle batteries. The idea is to use air flow to produce additional electrical energy in response to deceleration of the vehicle. With the Wind Power Generator System (WPGS) as a green system, a vehicle can produce extra energy, reduce gasoline usage, and reduce air pollution.

A sophomore nabbed the top spot in a steel wheels competition focused on eye-appealing, lightweight-structure concept renderings from Lawrence Technological University design students. The 2014 competition required student designers to use the engineering results from the Steel Market Development Institute’s Lightweight Steel Wheel Project.

Marilyn Vala, HMI Lead, LC/LA/LD/LX Program, Chrysler, and organizer of the “Mobility Issues for an Aging Population” technical session at SAE 2014 World Congress, has been researching the issue of an increasing aging population for the past 15 years and has a comprehensive understanding of the landscape and its challenges.

Technical sessions focused on interiors at the SAE 2014 World Congress span the designated technology areas, including electronics, materials, and safety/testing. One example in the electronics area, to take place April 8 at 9:30 a.m., covers multi-media systems. As part of the discussion, Takata researchers will present new touchscreen concepts such as a smart display surface that could benefit steering-wheel design.

The new car's interior and exterior styling complements a segment-first standard nine-speed automatic transmission with electronic shifter and the segment's first application of a fully disconnecting AWD system.

Fiat S.p.A. on Jan. 1 announced an agreement under which its wholly owned subsidiary Fiat North America LLC will acquire 100% ownership of Chrysler Group LLC by month’s end. Fiat currently own 58.5% and will buy the remaining 41.5% for $3.65 billion from VEBA Trust (a Voluntary Employees’ Beneficiary Association trust administered independently to pay health care benefits to Chrysler retirees).

The large cylindrical pressure tanks typically used for onboard CNG (compressed natural gas) storage are notorious for compromising passenger and cargo volume in light-duty vehicles. Chrysler is exploring the idea of using multiple smaller tanks to conquer the packaging challenge.

Engineering efficient gasoline engines is more important than ever. However, using physical testing alone to determine an engine’s maximum efficiency is expensive. Fortunately, simulating knock phenomenon with CAE is more feasible than ever.

As powertrain engineers race to improve mileage by about 50% over the next decade, linking many sensors and controllers together so they operate in coordination shines the spotlight on the networks that provide these links. Though bandwidth requirements will soar, the ubiquitous CAN network should meet powertrain requirements for several years.

The new compact, B-segment MPV was up-engineered by Chrysler to meet U.S. safety, emissions, and customer requirements. Powered by a 1.4-L Multiair turbocharged engine, the MY2014 model debuted at the L.A. Auto Show.